Utah Rafting through Desolation Canyon - Green River
Desolation and Gray Canyons are on the National Register of Historic Places because the famous and infamous were drawn here. In 1830, trapper Denis Julien left graffiti on the canyon walls. Almost 40 years later, John Wesley Powell traveled through the canyons and christened them. Soon after Powell passed through, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid found this a great place to escape justice. Today, if you really want to get away, there's no better place than the Green River Wilderness.
The Green River splits the 10,000-foot high Tavaputs Plateau and forms a gorge deeper than the Grand Canyon. Over one million uninhabited acres surround this holdout of the Old West. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid used these remote canyons 100 years ago to escape the law. Today, just go to escape.
Despite the name Desolation, the river surroundings offer green cottonwood groves, white sand beaches, and clear-water side streams. Your guide's selection of nightly camps will make good use of these features. Off river, abandoned homesteads mark the end of a frontiersman's dream, and prehistoric Indian petroglyphs the end of a civilization.
With whitewater that builds in intensity each day, Desolation is an ideal place to occasionally swap your seat in the raft for a thirst-quenching ride in an inflatable kayak.
Trip Details
Duration
5-6 Days
Location
Green River
Season
May - August
Trip Type
Paddle & Oar
Nearest City
Green River or Moab, UT
Physical Condition Required
Fair
Destination(s)
Utah, United States
Rated Classes
I-III
Guest Capacity
4-25
Minimum Age Limit
5 Years
Distance Traveled
84 Miles
Inflatable Kayaks
Available with instruction provided.
Hard Shell Kayaks
No rentals available. Experienced kayakers may bring own boat.
Additional Activities
Swimming, Off River Hiking/Exploring, Volleyball, Horseshoes, Wildlife Viewing, Historic/Native American Sites
Dining
All meals provided starting with lunch the first day through lunch the last day.
About Liquor
BYOB for Evening
Rates
$795.00 - $1,055.00per personCurrency Converter (Rates shown are in US Dollars. Rates and terms are subject to change.)
Additional Rate Info
5-Day: $995, Group Rate: $900,Youth Rate: $795 6-Day $1,055 Group Rates: $960, Youth Rate: $855 $25 per person BLM fee
Click here to email this trip by "Holiday Expeditions" to yourself or to a friend.
Trip Itinerary
SAMPLE ITINERARY: This itinerary illustrates a five-day trip through Desolation and Gray Canyons.
Day 1: Fly into Sand Wash put-in from Green River. There is a 30-minute downhill hike from canyon rim to the rafts waiting at river bottom. The trail is well marked but there is some loose footing along the way. Plan ahead to wear appropriate shoes for the hike. Guests who are apprehensive about the hike can be transported by vehicle to the river. View a historical marker at head of Desolation Canyon before entering the canyon. Camp this evening near Gold Hole.
Day 2: Hikes to Fremont Indian ruins and petroglyphs interspersed with sections of whitewater. Steer Ridge Rapid is the most memorable. Camp in a cottonwood grove or on a mile-long sandbar.
Day 3: Side canyon hike up Rock Creek, a clear water stream. Extensive petroglyphs and abandoned Rock Creek and McPherson Ranches, where Butch Cassidy's Wild Bunch slept.
Day 4: The whitewater has gotten bigger each day. The crescendo: Belknap, Three Fords, and Coal Creek rapids. Leave Desolation and enter Gray Canyon.
Day 5: You will run a half dozen more rapids before lunch and then take out near Swasey's beach. Short trip back to Green River and Holiday's headquarters.
This Package Includes
Full course meals starting with lunch the first day ending with lunch the last day.
Transportation to and from the meeting point (including flights).
Qualified guides.
Necessary equipment like lifejackets, waterproof bags, etc.
Reservation Policy
A deposit is required within five days of making a reservation; balance is due 60 days before your trip begins.
Cancellation Policy
If cancellations are made prior to 90 days before the trip, monies will be refunded less a $50.00 service charge per person. If cancellations are made within 90 days and outside of 45 days of the trip date monies will be refunded less a $100.00 service charge per person. Cancellations made within 45 days of the trip date are non refundable. Prior to 45 days to trip date, Holiday Expeditions will transfer reservations to another trip in the same year with a $25.00 service charge per person.
COMPLIMENTARY VISITOR GUIDES
Click on any visitor guide below to request a free copy.
Featured Adventures
